The Civil Rights Conference began a new racial narrative for its 250 participants. We felt rain, wind, and virus infections, but the resolve to change the narrative was stronger than that. We saw landmarks and museums, heard eye witnesses and justice crusaders, ate barbecue and fried fish, and shared grief and guilt. We were changed, each in our own way, but we all wanted to change the narrative of racism.
My thanks to new friends and acquaintances who made the conference better, because of their good will and commitment. I think our paths will cross again, because we are moving toward a shared outcome.
How Long?
Civil Rights viewed through a glass screen,
How long?
We learned, the South had won the Narrative War,
The Open Secret:
A dozen well-dressed white men around a table
Restrict the rights of the “Nigra,”
Not long!
Segregation, a racial etiquette
Separating the oppressed from the oppressor,
Our response: proximity.
How long?
City of slave marketing called
“regional hub for shipping, trading, and other commodities,”
While Birmingham faced its own racist reputation.
4,000 lynchings documented,
Many for social transgressions.
Residue of terror: PTSD
Not long!
Brown Chapel, Tabernacle Baptist,
Edmund Pettus Bridge
Bloody Sunday, The March,
Voting Rights passed in months
How long?
Beaten Freedom Riders’ agape love,
Charity begins at home,
Forgiveness is a gift,
Dexter Memorial Church lyrical love.
Not long!
God of Our silent tears,
Thou who has brought us thus
Far on the way,
Soon! Not long!
When we were in AL, a book I had reserved from a neighboriing library, “Marching for Freedom; Walk Together Children and Don’t Grow Weary” by Elizabeth Partridge, had arrived and was waiting to be picked up. The day after we returned home, I was able to get the book and I started reading it this morning. And then your beautiful reflection arrived in my email. What timing! You clearly and creatively stated my own experience and feelings of this CR conference/experience. Powerful! Thank you, Bill Tucker
Gloria, Bill added photos after you read the blog. As his wife, I thank you for commenting on Bill’s work.